"I hope the few who read these pages will be baptized in the old faith that in social
cooperation lies the possibility of self-realization.."

-- Woodbridge N. Ferris

Woodbridge N. Ferris, a native of New York, became a remarkable individual of Michigan.
His influence continues to effect the lives of thousands through the practical school
he founded in 1884 in Big Rapids, Michigan which has grown to be Ferris State University.
As a two term progressive Governor of Michigan 1913-1917 he championed the conservation
of natural resources, signed into law the Michigan Historical Commission, faced the
perplexing labor-management challenge of the 1914 Copper Strike and in 1914-1915 contributed
wisely to the peaceful settlement of the Ohio-Michigan boundary disputes. These actions
and others earned him the title "Good Gray Governor."

In 1922 he was elected to the United States Senate where he observed the "Roaring
20's." Shortly before his death in 1928 he penned a visionary undelivered speech to
the Senate in which he analyzed and called for the creation of a separate Cabinet
level, Department of Education, fifty-one years before it was accomplished.

Perhaps the qualities of character which his son Carleton summarized in his Preface and Mr. Ferris reveals in his humble
Autobiography will now help others advance his mission to "Make the World Better."

"I confess that there is no very reason for writing this book. Thousands of American
men and women have made invaluable contributions to the progress of mankind without
feeling called upon to 'tell the tale.' This is not an autobiography. It is a small
sheaf of memories, prepared first for the edification of the immediate members of
my own family. Second, for those among my thousands of students who feel that I may
have been to them a real source of inspiration. The majority of Ferris students who
have achieved success have traveled essentially the same road I have traveled."

-- Woodbridge N. Ferris

Certain it is that anyone who reads his autobiography cannot avoid the conviction
that my father possessed one characteristic that is revealed consistently throughout
his entire recital modesty. This trait of character undoubtedly explains the fact
that his own compilation is essentially a bare recital of facts, unembellished with
few exceptions with incidents in his life of a 'human interest' character."

"Mr. President, it is taken for granted by everybody that education must occupy a
prominent place in the affairs of a democracy. Notwithstanding this fact, I am not
at all sure that the American people and even some of its lawmakers, fully realize
the absolute necessity of universal education in a democracy."

Woodbridge N. Ferris Undelivered Address, U.S. Senate, 1928

William A. Sederburg, Ph.D. Richard A. Santer, Ph.D.

16th President, FSU Project Team Leader

The Autobiography of W.N. Ferris

A Vision Fulfilled

In 1923 W.N. Ferris sensed that his autobiography may give inspiration to others.
He died before he completed it. Later in the Depression years, Legislators proposed
funding a biography on him. That effort also fell short. By 1948 Carleton Ferris no
longer was able to carry the vision forward and donated a typescript autobiography
of his father's to Ferris Institute hoping that ". . . later something could be done . . ." In the 1953 and 1984 centennial years publications were again proposed. Finally,
it is with anticipation that this compilation will fulfill Mr. Ferris' original vision.